Chapter 584: Chapter 240: My Son is a Treacherous Minister (Finale)_2
But now, his own mother had ripped away that veil of concealment, exposing a cruel and bloody side to him.
"Ding! He Xi’s hatred value +1!"
Mom, you are my own mother, how could you deliberately tear open your son’s wounds?!
"Big boy, Mom knows that what she’s about to say will hurt you, will sting your heart like a needle!"
While He Tiantian pretended to be a loving mother, she didn’t forget to give He Xi a little sting.
"Ding! He Xi’s hatred value +3!"
Mom, you know all this and still you do it?
Don’t you feel the least bit sorry for your son?
"But, knowing you’re hurting, knowing you’re upset, Mom still has to say this!" He Tiantian assumed a tone of tough love.
"Ding! He Xi’s hatred value +1!"
"I don’t want you to deceive yourself. What’s that saying, oh, right, ’shame gives rise to courage!’"
He Xi:... Is that how the saying ’shame gives rise to courage’ is supposed to be used?
What’s this "shame" about?!
Seeing the time was ripe, He Tiantian began to get to the point, "Outsiders only see you as an appendage of the Guo family, as someone who has a smooth career path because of the Guo family. But Mom knows that besides having a good marriage into the Yue Family, you also have real ability!"
"Just so happens, the Saint has assigned you to the Ministry of Revenue, so lets serve well there and let solid achievements speak for us!"
"It’s like when we were still back at our old home, and I sent you off to study. Everyone thought I was foolish, thinking we, as poor peasants, mother and orphan, should have spent the money on more land or building more rooms for you and your younger brother to get married instead."
"But, after you passed the exams, did anyone in the village still make fun of me? They all forgot about the past and kept saying how my son was a descent of the Wenqu Star, praising me, the mother, for having foresight!"
"... No matter what people say now, once you’ve achieved success, they will only remember your success!"
He Tiantian said slowly.
Her words were quite reasonable.
He Xi, who was feeling some resentment towards his ’sharp-tongued mom,’ slowly calmed down.
But, thinking about the complicated and chaotic affairs in the Ministry of Revenue, He Xi felt a headache coming on.
Officials, of course, knew the importance of political achievements.
But the problem was, are political achievements that easy to earn?
It’s like all scholars under heaven know that if you study well, you can become an official and make a fortune.
But there are so many scholars in Daxia, everyone is diligent and hardworking, but there are only one or two hundred scholars who pass the exams each time.
Some things aren’t about just making an effort. Aside from personal ability, one also needs the right timing and favorable conditions.
He Xi was indeed confident, but he was still quite clear-headed when it came to government affairs.
With his credentials and age, even with the backing of Duke Wei Mansion and Princess An Kang, it would be difficult to gain a foothold in the Ministry of Revenue without solid results.
"Mom, I understand all this, but serving in the Yamen isn’t an easy matter."
He Xi rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh, feeling somewhat helpless.
"I know, let’s figure out a way."
He Tiantian said with a smile, "For instance, you’re now in charge of land tax and donation tax, so try to figure out a way to increase them."
Whether it’s the land tax or the donation tax, to increase them, there are only two ways: increase revenue or cut expenses.
Among of increase and cut, increasing revenue is most important.
Reliance on savings alone won’t save much money and grain; the real solution lies in increasing output.
"Big boy, Mom has prepared everything for you, take a look, this is a secret manual I managed to get for you. As long as you follow it, you will be able to increase the yield per mu of grain."
He Tiantian mysteriously pulled out a small booklet from her sleeve and stuffed it into He Xi’s hands like a treasure.
He Xi:...
Suddenly feeling ridiculous, he, he had actually gone mad discussing governmental affairs with his mom who didn’t understand a thing.
What secret manual?
Could it be those tricks swindlers from the Itinerant World use to fool people?
Damn swindlers have even come to the doorstep of the He Family.
Smack!
Seemingly seeing the helplessness and disdain in He Xi’s eyes, He Tiantian raised her hand and delivered a smack to the back of He Xi’s head.
"Ding! He Xi’s hatred value +1!"
Mom, you’ve been tricked into losing a lot of money for the family, and I, as your son, haven’t even blamed you, and you, you still have the nerve to hit me?!
He Xi, who had just calmed down, once again felt indignation.
But He Tiantian glared at He Xi, "You little rascal, are you cursing me in your heart? Thinking I’m foolish, a senile old woman, easily swindled?"
Isn’t she?
He Xi thought this in his heart but didn’t dare to actually say it.